Hoops hotshot Skylar Parker pauses during summer ball to let mom snap a close-up. (Corinn Parker photo)
I am not a photographer.
With the exception of one (accidentally) well-timed high school wrestling pic I snapped 30 years ago during my Whidbey News-Times days, no one is likely to look at anything I’ve shot and be like, “dang, David.”
So, it’s a good thing so many people have allowed me to use their photos here on Coupeville Sports over the past 11 years.
From my first steady contributor — Wolf Mom Shelli Trumbull — to my busiest one — Diet Coke-fueled paparazzi John Fisken — their contributions have been invaluable.
And this past school year has been an especially strong one.
I don’t know 100% for sure, but it certainly feels correct when I say that we ran photos from more photographers this time around than at any time in the past.
Fisken was a constant presence, as always, though other commitments pulled him away from my blog at times and opened up a lot of opportunities for others.
Chief among those who stepped up to provide a fresh spin on the photographic arts was CHS yearbook advisor Jackie Saia, and her many students.
Bailey Thule, Chloe Marzocca, Lucy Tenore, Carlota Marcos Cabrillo, Brenn Sugatan, Helen Strelow, Delanie Lewis, Andrew Williams, and Brionna Blouin all shot pics which graced the blog this school year.
A brilliant student who went to the state championships in two different sports, Helen Strelow both snaps pics, and poses for them. (Brian Strelow photo)
One thing which I noticed was you get a different perspective a lot of times when teenagers are taking photos of their fellow classmates.
There is a different relationship at work than when it’s an adult behind the camera, and the student photographers captured some of my favorite images of the year.
Not that we want the adults to put down their cameras or phones.
From coaches who snap pics, to school board directors who wield cameras, there are 10,001 photographers out there, and we’re lovin’ it.
Having a pack of Wolf Moms (and dads, and grandparents, and cousins, and uncles and aunts) who snap photos, then are willing to share them with the world at large through Coupeville Sports sets the blog apart from its competitors.
If there’s anything people like more than seeing their names in bold, it’s seeing their faces in pics.
Way back at the start, the first couple of stories on Coupeville Sports were just words, and no photos, but that changed fast.
No matter how good the writing is, the photo (and the headline) are the first things people see, and you need to suck readers in before they can appreciate any wordsmithing.
So, a huge thank you to each and every person who has graciously allowed me to use their images this school year, and over the past 11 years.
Coupeville Sports would truly not be the same without your images.
As we roll forward into the summer season, while looking ahead to a new school year starting in a few months, keep your cameras and phones clicking.
And keep me in mind.
If you shoot it, I probably want to share it, and you can reach me at davidsvien@hotmail.com or message me over on Facebook.
Remember, the Wolf Nation that shares photos is the Wolf Nation we need.
All the action, all the intensity, all the colors of fall. (Morgan White photo)
